I Prayed for a Murim Reincarnation, But I Was Born as the Youngest Imperial Prince - Chapter 67

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 67
What does King Wuryong desire from his clan?
Zhuge Ganyun, with his brilliant mind, could realize it immediately.
In other words, he spun a grand novel right then and there.
‘He has already said it. He will roam the land, inspecting all the various sects of the Wulin, and rectify any deep-seated abuses.’
Because the rule of the preceding Yuan Dynasty plunged into the Demonic Way, it piled up a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.
The Wulin also stood against them with the Southern Song at first, but realizing they were no match, they bowed their heads to survive.
It was a very harsh era.
The only fortunate thing was that they frequently entered internal feuds over the imperial throne, so things like wiping out the seeds of the Wulin did not happen.
And only after the current Great Long Empire was established did the Wulin face a period of resurgence.
Beggars disappeared to the point that the Beggars’ Sect changed its identity, so what more was there to say for the remaining sects?
Ultimately, a country with enough wealth and safety for the people to live well is also good for the Wulin to prosper.
However, by the principles of Yin and Yang, where there is light, there is also darkness.
The border was always threatened by the great demonic monsters that crossed over through the Great Ghost Gate, which the Yuan Dynasty had opened at its end.
The country blocks foreign enemies at the border, and the Wulin subjugates demonic practitioners and small demonic monsters arising in the rear from within. Such a cooperative framework was established.
While the two guards, the Golden Dragon Guard and the Yuelongwei, and the provincial surveillance commissioners of various regions inspected that.
However, that inspection was not very strict.
Unless it was an outright act of treason, it was very loose and they neglected most things.
It could also be said that they lacked the capacity to inspect strictly.
‘But King Wuryong was born, and His Highness’s fiefdom is Henan Province, which does not border the frontier.’
Even after receiving the authority to open a government, he left the current Provincial Administration Commissioner in office and entered Secluded Cultivation externally, leaving him in a free situation.
Inspecting the Wulin directly and rectifying the abuses….
‘Right now, even just the Namgung Clan….’
To be precise, the Namgung Clan was particularly arrogant among the five great clans.
Since they were the most successful, it was human nature for their noses to go up, but.
‘In front of His Highness who is traveling incognito, they took credit for another’s subjugation as a matter of course, and furthermore called themselves Emperor… and under the pretext of a martial duel, tried to ruin the future of a young talent.’
In addition, they slashed the supplier prices of the Sangdan, pushing them to the brink of ruin.
Since he witnessed such abuses right before his eyes and not through rumors, how could they escape disaster?
‘Indeed, honestly, though we are of the same great clans, Namgung was a bit too much even in our eyes.’
This is absolutely not a judgment made out of malice for Changtian Jianzun referring to his own clan and saying that their formations are useful but that is all.
Although he ground his teeth upon hearing those words, it is by no means a judgment made with such personal feelings.
Or it is not a thought born because the fourteen Great Spiritual Elixirs placed on the table are so dazzling.
This is entirely a conclusion derived from loyalty and patriotism.
Still, what needs to be confirmed must be confirmed.
How much of a price will this golden rope want from his clan?
“However, Your Highness, up to what point will you consider as an abuse? I am afraid to ask, but….”
“You mean that consideration is also needed for the merits of the Wulin in blocking the demonic practitioners of the rear and subjugating demonic monsters?”
“Since you are already considering it, this subject is overwhelmed with gratitude.”
If only everything could go according to the law, how good would it be.
In the first place, that the law itself was somewhat ambiguous was the standard of this era.
If applied strictly, it becomes endlessly strict, and if applied loosely, even an explicit regulation is ignored if a bribed official pretends not to know.
“I have no intention of governing harshly here either. But there is a proper limit, is there not?”
“You are wise.”
Seonwu also did not want a terrible future where the Wulin he likes is completely wiped out and that place is filled with the rule of the officialdom.
What a boring world that would be, what on earth is the point of being born in a world with the Wulin?
However, to what extent should the public nuisance inflicted on the people be before turning a blind eye?
‘Protection fees, honestly, are not in the law, but realistically acceptable.’
Because they actually do provide protection from things like the Ghost Gate and demonic monsters.
And based on their martial power and influence, running a large Sangdan, or already owning large rice fields and farmland.
Or having preferential purchasing rights in monopolizing spiritual medicine.
Well, Seonwu accepted that much.
‘Even in modern Korea, someone is a chaebol.’
Even here, just because powerful great clans share and act as those chaebols, it cannot be said to be unconditionally bad.
“I have nothing to say about a reasonable level of protection fees, running a large Sangdan, or having large rice fields and farmland handed down through generations. However, before meeting Namgung, I saw an Unorthodox Faction use their own martial artists to obstruct another’s shop so that business failed and then extort it for a pittance, or impose an absurd high-interest loan like Yama’s Debt and then human traffic them after obstructing them from repaying properly. Surely we cannot show leniency to such things?”
“Your words are perfectly just.”
“Also, taking another’s subjugation as one’s own merit is something that even fellow Wulin martial artists would call an abuse.”
“That is also a correct statement.”
The Zhuge Clan Head bowed his head.
‘Certainly, I also know that Namgung credited a significant portion of the subjugation merits achieved by small and medium sects within their sphere of influence to their own clan.’
Even if someone reported that to the top, it would only worsen relations between the two clans, and the provincial surveillance commissioner, who received ample recognition from Namgung, would just gloss it over, so everyone kept their mouths shut, but….
‘King Wuryong’s standard will moderately divide the Wulin.’
The current standard is something the small and medium sects would welcome, and something the great sects would not like very much.
However, that too is based on secular clans like the great clans.
‘The Nine Great Sects originally did not do such things as stealing merit.’
Those of Shaolin and Wudang, etc., are people who cultivate in hopes of becoming a Buddha or an immortal.
With a mind that steals merit in such a way, proper cultivation cannot be achieved, nor can they properly master the martial arts of their sects.
In other words, even if King Wuryong cracks down anew, they have nothing to be hindered by, so there is no need to block it.
Among the lay disciples placed under their influence, there would be some who did such things, but….
It is not something to be stepped forward and encouraged by the main sect.
Rather, looking at the personalities of the sect leaders of Shaolin and Wudang, they would scold them, asking how they could do such a thing.
‘Extravagant Yama’s Debt or shop-stealing are the same.’
To summarize overall, he accepts that the Wulin collects protection fees to some extent and enjoys various vested interests, but he cannot overlook driving the people to ruin or stealing the merit of fellow Wulin martial artists.
If it is this much, the Wulin forces that rebel and the Wulin forces that comply will be divided.
‘The Nine Sects and One Gang will comply if it is that much….’
From the standpoint of secular sects such as great clans, certain factions, or certain gates, it is an uncomfortable restriction.
Especially the Unorthodox Factions would be even more so.
However, at the point when the Nine Sects and One Gang comply, the entire Wulin will not gather as one anymore.
Then, on which side their own Zhuge Clan stands is the question….
He looked at the fourteen Great Spiritual Elixirs.
When he shows grace first to this extent and asks to become his person, if they refuse and talk about preserving the independence of the Wulin, naturally what returns next is disappointment and hatred.
Favor and hatred are two sides of the same coin.
“As the Head of the Zhuge Clan, I respectfully accept Your Highness’s will.”
“Then it will be fine for Jun to travel with me.”
“Of course.”
‘He means he will use Jun as a channel of communication with himself.’
Now that things have turned out this way, the main family has no choice but to firmly hold King Wuryong’s line and participate in his Wulin management plan.
The Zhuge Clan Head solidified his resolve.
Of course, Seonwu did not particularly wish for the support of the entire Zhuge Clan.
In the first place, the fourteen spiritual elixirs were just a gift to a friend and a repayment of a debt.
But the Zhuge Clan Head had no doubt that this was a royal gift bestowed in the hope that his entire clan would move according to his will.
Shouldn’t the scales balance that way?
Despite their grand mutual misunderstandings, the conversation concluded amicably.
“Then what do you intend to do with Namgung right away?”
“I must see the investigation results when they come out.”
“Indeed, that is a matter to decide afterward. However, do you not have a large framework in mind?”
“Hmm, I will adjust it according to the sins revealed, but they must throw up the money earned unfairly by exploiting the people, and they will also have to return the authority received for merits they did not achieve. How can it be a punishment if we only penalize as much as they were caught? It must be several times over.”
If you commit a ten-billion-won fraud, get caught for five billion won worth, and are only collected five billion won as a fine, isn’t there zero risk?
Once caught, they must suffer total ruin so they won’t do it carelessly.
Seonwu’s intention was firm.
[Uh, hey. How far does several times over go?]
[It’s simple. I’m going to make Namgung look like Namgung again.]
He still had affection for the name Namgung Clan that he liked, but because of that, he intended to punish them very thoroughly for now.
If the revealed sins are great, to the extent that they become incapable of recovery for a while.
[A Namgung that isn’t like the number one prestigious noble clan of the Orthodox Factions is a fake, so wouldn’t it be more beautiful if it didn’t exist at all? A proper sprout will grow again from those ruins.]
At Seonwu’s sound transmission, Jun almost let his mouth hang open.
If his father hadn’t been right next to him, he would have done so.
What kind of twisted love-hate relationship is this?
‘Is it something like a fan turning into a extreme anti-fan?’
Jun thought briefly of the Hebei Peng Clan and the Sichuan Tang Clan.
‘That guy wasn’t a fan of the Ximen Clan or the Zhuge Clan, but he definitely seemed to like the Hebei Peng Clan and the Sichuan Tang Clan a lot too….’
Oh, whatever.
He’ll handle it well on his own.
“Then what will you do with the authority recovered from Namgung? Will the officialdom govern all of it?”
“Hmm, if the officialdom handles it, inefficiency will arise in its own way.”
Seonwu had various kinds of knowledge by combining what he learned from imperial monarchology, what he discussed with Jun, and the knowledge of his past life.
One of them is that to prevent rebellion, gathering all power in the center and making the localities ignorant is the most advantageous.
At the same time, the overall national power becomes a mess by that much.
Even in the history of Earth where he originally lived, whenever too perfect a centralized control was pursued, the army was always broken.
Conversely, if a lot of autonomy is granted to the localities and the local areas are allowed to possess proper martial power, the combat capability of the entire nation goes up.
Instead, the risk of civil war breaking out at the slightest provocation, or the localities acting independently at will even if not, also went up, but.
In particular, if there is advanced modern technology, it is possible to some extent for the center to check and control the localities in real time, but it is impossible in this era.
To put it simply, the more you catch the Wulin like trapping mice, the more the power occupied by the officialdom goes up, but the defense capability of individual regions goes down conversely by that much.
‘Even in modern times, there is a similar story when discussing the pros and cons of small government and big government.’
For example, if you leave the defense around Mount Song to Shaolin, they will do well on their own.
Conversely, if the officialdom takes charge of it instead?
An organization like the officialdom, especially as it goes to the localities, is inefficient.
There is no way they would handle the defense around Mount Song with as much responsibility as Shaolin.
First of all, because it is not ‘my land’.
There is no way they know the surroundings as well as Shaolin, there is no way they coordinate well with the surroundings, and various other reasons.
This is the same even if you change Shaolin and Mount Song to other names.
Even the Namgung Clan right now, the things revealed are the problem, but calling themselves the Emperor of Anhui means, in other words, their intention to protect their domain, Anhui Province, from demonic monsters is certain.
‘Of course, individually, there are cases where the result of doing one’s best for one’s own things becomes a catastrophe for the whole country, so a small government isn’t necessarily the answer, but….’
Thanks to articles and economic common sense picked up here and there as a modern person, Seonwu also knew that much.
Therefore, specifically entering into the details of which line is the best for the appropriate autonomy and authority that must be given to the Wulin of this era, he did not know.
The gap between knowing the concept and being able to design the details is the core, but the difference between not knowing the concept and knowing it was also big.
Adding his remaining ‘affection’ for the Wulin to this, Seonwu said.
“Wouldn’t it be appropriate to divide and give it to other places? To forces where chivalry and righteousness are alive, who will use that power more correctly than Namgung.”
“You are truly wise.”
The Zhuge Clan Head bowed his head once more.
‘In other words, after recovering Namgung’s vested interests, he will chop them up and distribute them to the sects cooperative with the Imperial Family.’
The focus was subtly off, but anyway, the Zhuge Clan Head, the Tian기신산, wisely understood the meaning of Seonwu’s words.
‘He will distribute them to several mid-tier sects in Anhui Province.’
If Namgung’s head grew big so they disregarded the majesty of the Imperial Family and thought they were a real emperor just because they mastered the Imperial Sword Form….
It is a matter of breaking their power and raising other sects in that empty spot.
Those sects must be several rather than one so they will compete with each other and wish for the grace of the Imperial Family.
‘King Wuryong truly knows the way of governance.’
How could he know governance to this extent at the capping age when he must have been busy just learning martial arts?
‘And some of it might fall to our Zhuge Clan.’
Even if not, the spiritual elixirs given right now are already sufficient compensation, so there is nothing more to desire, but if the expectations are exceeded, a corresponding higher reward might be given further.
A bit of misunderstanding was added, but the Zhuge Clan Head was confident in his assumption.
“I will inform them well so that the Wulin does not become anxious for no reason over this matter.”
“It would be good if you do that.”
Seonwu did not ask what specifically he would do.
‘Still, because his son is going with me, he is giving moderate support. Good for me.’
Though their expectations were very different, the meeting concluded on a very harmonious note.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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